Assessment of Public Knowledge and Awareness Towards Visual Impairment

Abstract

Introduction: Blindness is a major health problem but has received relatively little attention in worldwide efforts to promote health. Health inequities are related to the level of knowledge about the health conditions and the health seeking behavior of the community members. Aim: This study was designed to assess public knowledge and awareness towards visual impairment and to identify if any gender differences exists in the care seeking behavior. Material and methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out amongst 100 randomly selected community members and 100 patients receiving treatment under the NationalProgrammefor Control of Blindness at SKMCH, Muzaffarpur, from April 2020 to November 2020. Sex specific behaviour pattern of the adults was studied by selecting 50 males and 50 females randomly for better comparability. The data was collected using a standardized pre-designed and pre-tested interview schedule.Results:The study revealed that only 42% of the patients had the knowledge about the causes of blindness, especially cataract and glaucoma. Knowledge amongst thepatients regarding the modalities of treatment was adequate (90%) while 69% of them preferred to avail eye care services from Government sector facilities only. Knowledge amongst the females regarding services available for prevention and control of blindness was poorer (18%) as compared to males(32%). Conclusion: For reducing the problem of blindness, knowledge and health seeking behavior of the community needs to be improved with special attempts to address gender issues.

Keywords: Blindness, health seeking behavior, gender.